what is acid rain?

Answer 1

Rain that traps air pollution and brings it back to the ground.

Answer 2

Acid rain (or more accurately acid precipitation)[1] occurs when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are emitted into the atmosphere, undergo chemical transformations and are absorbed by water droplets in clouds. The droplets then fall to earth as rain, snow, or sleet. This can increase the acidity of the soil, and affect the chemical balance of lakes and streams.[2] The term "acid rain" is sometimes used more generally to include all forms of acid deposition - both wet deposition, where acidic gases and particles are removed by rain or other precipitation, and dry deposition removal of gases and particles to the Earth's surface in the absence of precipitation.[3] Acid rain is defined as any type of precipitation with a pH that is unusually low.[4] Dissolved carbon dioxide dissociates to form weak carbonic acid giving a pH of approximately 5.6 at typical atmospheric concentrations of CO2.[5] Therefore a pH of <5.6 has sometimes been used as a definition of acid rain.[6] However, natural sources of acidity mean that in remote areas, rain has a pH which is between 4.5 and 5.6 with an average value of 5.0 and so rain with a pH <5 is a more appropriate definition.[7]

The US EPA says, "Acid rain is a serious environmental problem that affects large parts of the US and Canada" [8] Acid rain accelerates weathering in carbonate rocks and accelerates building weathering. It also contributes to acidification of rivers, streams, and forest damage at high elevations.

You could get more information from the link below...

Answer 3

There is acid rain when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the air. They then undergo chemical transformations, and they are absorbed by moisture in clouds. They form droplets that fall to earth as precipitation. Because rain has a typical pH level of 5.6, you could say that acid rain is defined as any type of precipitation that has a pH less than 5 is acidic.

Answer 4

The term "acid rain" is commonly used to mean the deposition of acidic components in rain, snow, fog, dew, or dry particles. The more accurate term is "acid precipitation." Distilled water, which contains no carbon dioxide, has a neutral pH of 7. Liquids with a pH less than 7 are acid, and those with a pH greater than 7 are alkaline (or basic). "Clean" or unpolluted rain has a slightly acidic pH of 5.6, because carbon dioxide and water in the air react together to form carbonic acid, a weak acid. Around Washington, D.C., however, the average rain pH is between 4.2 and 4.4.

Answer 5

Acid rain (or more accurately, acid precipitation)occurs when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are emitted into the atmosphere, undergo chemical transformations and are absorbed by water droplets in clouds. The droplets then fall to earth as rain, snow, or sleet. This can increase the acidity of the soil, and affect the chemical balance of lakes and streams.The term "acid rain" is sometimes used more generally to include all forms of acid deposition - both wet deposition, where acidic gases and particles are removed by rain or other precipitation, and dry deposition removal of gases and particles to the Earth's surface in the absence of precipitation.Acid rain is defined as any type of precipitation with a pH that is unusually low.Dissolved carbon dioxide dissociates to form weak carbonic acid giving a pH of approximately 5.6 at typical atmospheric concentrations of CO2. Therefore a pH of <5.6 has sometimes been used as a definition of acid rain.[6] However, natural sources of acidity mean that in remote areas, rain has a pH which is between 4.5 and 5.6 with an average value of 5.0 and so rain with a pH <5 is a more appropriate definition.

MORE INFO: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acid_rain

:)

Answer 6

Acid Rain - form of precipitation containing high levels of sulfuric or nitric acids

Answer 7

Acid rain is rain that contains acid, mostly Sulphuric Acid from power plants and industrial plants that emit sulphur and other chemicals as part of their operation. There are many regulations which attempt to minimize these emissions, but they are often flauted, or regulations are circumvented. Older plants are exempted from regulation, or waivers granted.

Acid rain is causing many real problems, from destruction of monuments and older buildings to the death of fish and other wildlife, along with health effects on people.

Answer 8

when poisonous gases due to pollution get accumulated in atmosphere ,,,,,,,,,, for example SO2, NO2
it reacts with rain water and it forms H2SO4 and HNO3 which are acids,,,,,,,, in such rain water contains acidic content,,,, and such rain water is called as acid rain

Answer 9

Rain that has absorbed oxides of nitrogen &/or sulphur. these form nitric acid, nitrous acid, sulfuric acid & sulfurous acid.